Tuesday, May 26, 2009

"Nightmare turns into a dream come true" - 18th Story for the Inspirational Book

By JEAN KNILL

The letter was an official one from the local council, landlord of the lease of the apartment I’d bought six years before in 1990. My hand shook as I pulled it out of the envelope.

Weeks before, I’d attended a meeting where we residents learnt that the council was considering adding an additional lift to the block. As a home owner, I would be liable to pay a share of the cost. It would be in the region of £10,000.

For me that was yet another nightmare. The children and I had been living a roller coaster existence since Edward, my policeman husband, left us to live with someone else when Susie was not yet three and Stephen nine years old.


I was devastated and my feelings were a strange mix of meekness and pride. He had rejected me and I would show him that I didn’t need him. I became fiercely independent. Very foolishly, I agreed to a do-it-yourself divorce, all the custody and access arrangements, and maintenance for the children of £9 each a week until they were 16 – no maintenance for me. I think we had the cheapest divorce on the planet.

Of course, we were evicted from the free police married quarters once we were divorced. I’d applied for social housing before this and when it became imminent, the council put us in a halfway house before I incurred any fees for court hearings.

Three months later I accepted their offer of the apartment.

When his father left, it had hit Stephen really hard; Susie was too young to understand, and she was still the apple of her father’s eye. But her brother suffered and hit out indiscriminately. In the years that followed he got into all sorts of trouble and became totally estranged from his father. When Edward remarried Susie was a bridesmaid but Stephen was not invited.

I truly believe that the reason I survived three diagnoses of breast cancer was because my children still needed me. When I decided to take up my ‘Right to Buy’ option on our flat, it was because I desperately wanted to have a chance to leave them something after I was gone.

Although there was never much money, we’d had plenty of happy times. I was a working mother and somehow managed to pay for activities for the children. One summer, they each had a week caring for horses and learning to ride. We spent time with friends at each other’s homes. Once Susie started school, I even managed to go back to college and get a degree.

Eventually I met Philip – another single parent who lived in our block with his two daughters. We couldn’t afford package holidays but we all went camping together.
In 1996, my offspring were aged 25 and 32. Stephen had missed out on qualifications and was unable to hold down a job. He had moved north and married but that hadn’t worked out and he’d come home to Mum. I was providing a home for him and supporting him. Susie had worked abroad and was now renting a nearby bedsitter and continuing to work as a nanny.

Philip and I were cohabiting. Still, I determined to remain independent and pay the mortgage and bills myself so that the home would remain mine and eventually my children’s.

The previous year, I had been made redundant from my full time job and had set up a business with an ex-colleague. We worked as consultants from our homes but were struggling to become recognised and were not yet making a profit.


I didn’t have £10 to spare, let alone the £10,000 that would be my share of the cost of the new lift. And I didn’t have the guaranteed income I needed to get a loan. I had eked out my redundancy money to cover my mortgage repayments and our living expenses, but there was very little left.

The letter I was opening from the landlord would give me their decision, which would tell me which way the roller coaster would be going next – up or down. I moved in slow motion as I pulled out the letter, unfolded it, set it down on the table in front of me, smoothed it out and started to read.

“Thank heavens. They’re not going to put in the new lift.” But what they were going to do was raze the building to the ground. Was this any better news? It meant they would buy the flat back from me at current market value.

Unfortunately there had been a slump in the housing market. They offered me a lot less than the value they placed on it when I bought it. But I had qualified for the full discount when I bought. I would have a small amount of equity.

The council’s offer was less than my own independent valuation. My solicitor set up negotiations that would result in a little extra.

Meanwhile I was still living the nightmare of not knowing if we would end up homeless. If I could get another mortgage, I wasn’t going to be able to buy locally in South London where prices were so high. I contacted all the housing associations with shared ownership schemes but nothing came up for me, although what we discovered did allow Susie to get her own home soon afterwards.

For a long time I’d had a pipe dream of living in the country. Years before, I’d shared a holiday cottage in Dorset with a friend and had fallen in love with the surrounding countryside. I wondered what house prices would be like in the county. After all, it was half way to where my sister lived in the west. And Philip was happy to move there with me. He was a minicab driver in London and could get a taxi licence to operate in Dorset.

Calls to estate agents brought a flood of property information and I began to look at locations along the train line from London. My computer and I could be based anywhere but, until I could afford a car, I’d need to be able to travel to my clients’ businesses by public transport.

I was overjoyed when I found out that prices in the Blackmore Vale were within my reach. After viewing a number of houses, I chose one not far from the station. It was in a quiet area set back from the road in a group that surrounded a green and some trees.

It wasn’t easy getting another small mortgage but I eventually found a lender that would accept me as self employed. Philip and I are married now, and we have plenty of equity in our home, which is a freehold property with gardens front and back.
The nightmare is over and we’ve been living the dream, half way between where our three girls live and my sister in the opposite direction, with Stephen and his new girlfriend only four miles away.

I have another dream now that’s about to come true. Soon we’ll be moving to another lovely home at the seaside. I truly believe that, however hard things get, you should never stop dreaming. Life is just taking you towards the fulfilment of your dreams.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JEAN KNILL has two successful blogs to her name , Jean's Musings and Jak's Blog.
She is also a noted writer at Constant Content where she has discussed a variety of topics from The Infectious Romp that is Mamma Mia to Legends of The Three Gorges.

She has this to say for herself:
"I started freelance writing in the early 1980s and have been been published in many UK magazines and newspapers, as well as in writing and travel e-zines. Until recently, I had to slot the writing in beside teaching and marketing projects. Now I have retired from these sidelines and am revelling in the freedom to write as much as I want."

Thanks Jean for contirbuting your 2nd heart-warming story. This one tugged at my heartstrings and inspired me more than you'll ever know.


Photo 1 by mescon
Photo 2 by tata_aka_T


Monday, May 25, 2009

WOOF Top PIcks May 22

Congratulations to all winners, Izzy, Roy, Zorlone and the rest of the group.

WOOF Contest – Top Picks

PoetryDragon Blogger – “A Moment Spend For Me Alone” - Poem about a suicidal person’s last moment.

Christable Anon – “myth” - The myth of life naked in the cold of

December…Zorlone – “Padyak” - “Escape is on thoughts of so many. If they are lucky to know a different life they can dream of it and try to take action. We don’t really know how badly people want to escape until we see that ourselves or live that experience.”-Alexandra GarlandJennifer M

Scott – “Elemental” - I went camping this past weekend and this is what I wrote.

About WritingIzzy Daniels – “Remaining Consistent is Key To good Writing” - Why consistency is important, and how we can go about find ways to set up goals for ourselves to remain consistent.

Script / Short Story
Roy – “The Strongest Link” - A short script I wrote for my son’s classroom presentation.

Jena Isle – “Go Home Yankees” - A story about an uncommon friendship.



Sunday, May 24, 2009

FREE PICTURES - Children's Clothing






Friday, May 22, 2009

“Go Home Yankees!” (Another Boy Story – A Replay)

By: JENA ISLE
My name is Pepe. I am 12 years old. People say nobody would read what I will write because I lack schooling and English is my second language but you see, I very much want to share with you the story of my friend Dave. I am confident that although I'm not really a writer, I hope I will be able to communicate the message I want to, through this story. My qualifications? I earned the "Best in English" in my grade six class. This is my story.

I met Dave one night in a bar. Right after I graduated from elementary, I worked as an errand boy for Paradise Bar. I wanted to earn to be able to continue my schooling the coming year.

Dave was not one of the "ugly Americans" as others call them. ("Go home, Yankees!" I often hear the cry of protesters in the streets.)

According to the women in the bar, he looked like Mel Gibson - the actor in Braveheart. (I watched that movie several times with them, and I had to agree.)

When the other airmen were noisily drinking, he was just in one corner, silently sipping his beer. He was also soft spoken and treated me kindly -unlike the other Americans. He always gave me a tip - not in coins but in paper- that was a lot for me.

Every night, he came to the bar, all by himself. The women would crowd around him and tried to talk to him, but in the end , he always preferred to be alone. One time when all the customers left and I was done gathering the empty bottles, he summoned me.

"What's your name?" he smiled.

"Pepe" I answered.

"Where do you live?"

"Gueco Street."

"Do you want to work for me?"

I was surprised, "What work?"

" A yard boy and someone to clean my house once a week," he continued smiling at me. "Lighter work, and more pay"

" Yes, " I nodded eagerly.

" You can start tomorrow."

I started working for Dave. He lived alone in a three - room apartment near their Military Base. I learned that he was a pilot - an officer - he had a "wing" symbol on his military uniform. At times when I was done cleaning the yard, he would talk to me about his family back in Wyoming. How he missed them. He said he had a younger brother my age. (Perhaps that was why he had helped me?)

He went less and less to the Paradise Bar as days went on. He allowed me to stay in the other room of his apartment. I went home during weekends to give money to "Nanay" (mother). I was earning more and I was able to save money too.

During evenings, we would barbecue at the backyard and just talk. He asked
me about my family and my plans. I told him about how I wanted to go to high school; that I was the eldest of 5 children and that my parents could not get good jobs because they were not able to go to college too.

I was not telling him this to ask for help. I was telling him because he was able to encourage me to talk and I didn't usually open up that easily. I think we were alike because we didn't talk openly about ourselves to other people.

One day when he came home;

" Myrna, this is Pepe, Pepe this is Myrna - my girlfriend."

I was shocked. I stared at her face and saw a smirk. I did not like her but I shook her hand anyway.

" Sige na, iwanan mo kami," (Go on, leave us alone) she said in the dialect, so I left them.

I could hear Myrna's laughter echoing in the house.

"You don't like her," Dave said when she left.

I did not reply.

"You'll like her when you'll get to know her better." he said and I nodded.

Everyday thereafter, Myrna came to the house even when Dave was not there. She ordered me around like she owned me. I am not new to this as bad people always do that to poor people like me.

"Pagkatapos mong gawin iyan, labhan mo ang damit ko!" (After you're done with that, wash my clothes!) She would bark the order at me.

I had no choice but to obey, she was my boss' girlfriend and I could see that Dave's happiness was complete with her around.

One day. when Dave was at work, Myrna came. She had a man with her. They went straight to Dave's room. I can hear her giggling.

" Eto, puede na ba ito? " (this one, is this okay?) She asked the man.

There was no reply and when they came out, she was carrying Dave's big camera in one hand.

"Ate," I asked " Saan po ninyo dadalhin iyan?" (Where will you bring that?)

"Wala ka na doon", (It's none of your business) she pouted at me.

I could not do anything when she walked past me. When evening came, Dave arrived and I waited for him to ask about the camera but he said nothing , so I presumed that everything was well.

During the days that followed however, I noticed that Myrna no longer came to the house. Dave went back to his usual silent moods. I tried to talk to him but he answered in monosyllables.

"If it's about the camera, .." I started.

"No, don't worry about that," he replied, and that was that.

He did not want to talk about Myrna and I did not dare ask. By then I knew that when Dave wanted me to know, he would tell me. As days passed, his mood improved.

We went back to cooking barbecue and talking about his experiences: how he had slipped into a pond because he was rushing to school; how he and his brother enjoyed their first rodeo and many others. These was all new to me so I listened with awe.

When it was my turn, I went on to talk too about how I enjoyed reading so much and my interest in poetry and writing. He gave me a box of pocketbooks to read the following day, "here, they are all yours." he said.

Several months later, I had saved enough money for enrollment but not enough to buy my school materials. That was good enough for me though, the rest can be remedied, I was sure.

It was after a few more months that Olive came into our lives. Unlike Myrna, I liked Olive immediately. She treated me like Dave did. Her kindness was from the heart, because even when no one was around she treated me like a younger brother. I came to know that she worked as a nurse in the Base hospital.

I can see that Dave was happier with Olive than with Myrna. They were so in love. I was not surprised when they told me they were getting married that coming June. I was happy for them! They assured me, I can stay with them for as long as I wanted.

But that was not what happened. Fate had more surprises for me - the following June, Mount Pinatubo erupted. Tons of ashes rained and all US bases (Subic and Clark) were abandoned by fleeing US soldiers.


I was home helping my parents take shelter when the order for the evacuation of the US bases was given. I knew Dave would be looking for me. I braved the ashfall and rushed to Dave's apartment... but he was gone. Olive was there, packing things in boxes.

"Nasaan siya?"(Where is he?) I asked her.

"Umalis na siya" (He's gone), she said with tears in her eyes.

I can't help but cry too. Dave was gone! I couldn't believe it. I had thought we would be together for long.

"Will you be okay?" I asked her , knowing she was feeling the same way, even much more perhaps.

"He promised to keep in touch," she assured me. "He left something for you."
She gave me a camera and an envelope... the camera ?

"It is brand new," Olive said when she saw the question on my face. " He knew about the first camera. It was Myrna. " she continued.

I opened the envelope. There was green money - enough for me to pursue my ambition of going back to school. I cried all the more, thinking how generous he was. You can always count on him - my Boss Dave - NO - my friend Dave!

One important lesson I have learned is that, no matter what race one belongs to, there will always be the bad and the good!



Photo 1 by echoforsberg
Photo 2 by
Bob Jagendorf




Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Plotdog's WOOF Contest – Top Picks

WOOF Contest – Top Picks

Poetry

Webbielady – “If I Am God...” - What if I'm given the seat as the God of this universe just for a few hours or a day or a couple of days? A crazy though, a weird poem came out of it...

Jena Isle – “Poems of Adieu and Hello” - What would be more indelible in one's memory, is it saying adieu or hello?

Albert Ashok – “Concerning my land” - Concerning my land- is a concern for my country and the well-being of all concerned with my country.

Dragon Blogger – “A Mother's Love - A tribute to Mother's everywhere.

Roy – “Don't Ask Me Why” - A poem I wrote for my wife in 1999.

Christable Anon – “The Third Day of May” - How would you address your pain to some deaf wounds?

Zorlone – “Simply A Mother” - The joys of motherhood cannot be expressed in a single poem. But this one tries to have a glimpse of the beauty of such a devoted and unselfish love.

Jennifer M Scott – “Birthday” - 2 months to the day is my birthday and I will be 29 I guess getting older is bothering me some since it seems like I am writing a lot about getting older and losing childhood completely.


Brought to you by PlotDog Press with the Serial Suspense Screenplay "Intervention"




Sunday, May 17, 2009

Inspirational Book by Bloggers Now on its Lay-outing Process

I am now in the stages of preparing the lay-out for the Inspirational Book. I’m excited about how it would look like!

All in all, there are 17 articles contributed by writers from different parts of the world . I was thinking of changing the title to "Anthology of Bloggers All Over the World " . I'm still in the process of drafting the final title. Any suggestion would be most welcome!

The following are the articles and their authors:


1. “Inspiration” by Nicholas Chase
2. “She Didn’t dance” by Roy dela Cruz
3. “It’s Not Too Late” by Jean Knill
4. "Remember When" by Tasha Bud
5. "Television" by Francis Scudellari
6. "Blessed Martin and the Fridge by Ken Armstrong
7. "A Simple Theory of Communication" by Patricia Rockwell
8."The Weeping Girl" by Ray Gratzner
9. "Memories for my Mother by Durano Lawayan
10. "Inspiration" by Jim Murdoch
11. "An Angel in Each One of Us" by Angel Cuala
12. "My Jeepney Ride to Church" by Zorlone
13. "One Decision" by Nancy McCarroll
14. "The Boy Who Saved Christmas" by Ma.Teresa Baniaga
15. "The Laughter of Grief" by John Rooney
16. "Let's Vault In" by Roy dela Cruz
17. "A Life Worth Living" by Irene of LifeLots

If you have contributed and don't find your entry here, kindly notify me in the comment section. I will be requesting each author to send through my email, your bio-data and your best, 2 X 2 ID picture.

You may want to include other pertinent data about your article, or any write-up you want seen in your bio.

If there are still writers out there, who would like to contribute, I can accommodate them, as long as the final lay-outing has not been done yet- most probably by the end of May.

Once again, thanks to all the bloggers who participated in this pioneering endeavor. I hope our efforts would be rewarded with the final printed copy of the book. (God willing.)




Thursday, May 14, 2009

Poems of Adieu and Hello

Adieu

Spare me the pains of the inky night,
Give me shadows of the lustrous moon.
Don't sing me songs of adieu
in whispers, that I barely knew.

Rest and let go of the garbled breath,
that wracks your tattered body.
Let go my love, of the thread
that leads to turmoil and misery.

Go, move on to the sunshine of joy,
and suffer no more my sweet.
gnarled fingers and wrinkles are done now,
and time for your restful sleep.

Don't worry for in time I will be,
with you in the folds of your dreams.
Where nothing counts but you and me,
and together we will always be...

...until the end of time.




Hello

Dew drops, fresh and sparkling,

sun beams dancing and leaping,

in the verdant grass, glinting,

With the promise of a new tomorrow.

I held on to your hands - smiling-

my heart alight and singing,

in a tune I've never heard ringing.

To me, you have given your precious vow.


Photo by nathalielaure
Photo by Sheepie Meili


Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Plotdog's WOOF Contest Winners for May 8

Zorlone has made it to the TOP again with his short story this time. He is not only a brilliant poet but a great story writer too. Congratulations too to the rest of the winners.

WOOF Contest – Top Picks

Fiction / Short Story / Flash Fiction

Zorlone – “Insanity Road” - An Urban Legend about the outcome of trespassing a private road.
Webbielady – “Isn't Life Supposed To Be Meaningful?” - He was in the process of taking his own life... he's ready to die until some strange melody played over the air that made him do something....

About Writing
Izzy Daniels – “5 things you should learn before starting a blog - Some beginning bloggers have a view common ideas that they think blogging is linked to. In this post, I let people know how to avoid these common issues.
Writing Nag – “A Perfect Day” - Can writing about what you want make it happen? Writing with intention and writing about your perfect day.

Poetry

Christable Anon – “Memories” - Where did moths steal their wings from?
Dragon Blogger – “Honorless Man” - Rhyming poem made from random words about a man living a double life.
Jennifer M Scott – “four horsepowered heart” - A surreal poem includes a drawing by as well, welcome to my weird world.
Roy – “Man... I am - A poem about why real men shouldn't hide their own emotions...


Monday, May 11, 2009

A Life Worth Living - 17th Article for the Inspirational Book

By: IRENE OF LIFELOTS

"No one ever finds life worth living - he has to make it worth living"
A very nice thought I have read as I browsed a book of Chicken Soup last night.

I think we can make our lives worth living by living each day at a time, appreciating little things, and not looking for what is missing in our lives.

We have to nourish what we have and what we know - we should count our blessings! Our life is only lived once so it’s better to appreciate whatever life has to offer.

Embrace each trial and give thanks for them because they make us stronger. It's hard to rejoice amidst our trials but if we only know how to discern blessings from them, things will be so simple.

Life is just a game: A jigsaw puzzle that keeps us thinking what it would look like after we drop each piece - it takes time and patience. But no matter how many times we try to put a piece that we think is right, it doesn't mean that the piece is going to fit. Sometimes we'll need to give up on one piece and move on to the others. The piece may fit, and we try to reassure ourselves that it's going to be fine, but somehow we know it's not right. And we try and try again.
Photo 1 of people by foxspain

Life is just a carnival ride: A roller coaster that has its twists and turns and is full of ups and downs - we scream, shout, cry, and laugh. It's always a different thrill each day and it is more fun when shared with others.

We have to be prepared for the ride as it dives very fast and doesn't last long enough. We are stuck with the first position we had - we have to hang on well too, and sit back tight.

I have been through a lot and it really took me great courage and strength to stand up on my own. Sometimes people have to live alone just to find out what purpose they have in life. When they have found that - life would then be worth living!

Life can be a “better place” to “live” in, if we recognize and appreciate all the little things that surround us. A number of people take some of these important little things for granted, but eventually they'd noticed how these are indeed bigger things after all.

To think that my heart is still beating and I still have my senses complete and working admirably, I am very thankful just for that; other people are blind, deaf, and can’t even walk.

Sometimes, we think we have given them something worthless - but for these unfortunate beings - they are priceless! That's how they usually perceive things because they don’t possess them.

But for people who have everything, things are often taken for granted. We get irked at the slightest sign of discomfort - waiting in line at a supermarket, when others around are starving; feeling uncomfortable because of a warm weather at night, when others had to sleep in a cold, damp pavement.

I always weigh things that I have versus the things that other people lack. This way I can realize how much worth the things I have in my life; that they are not just insignificant things but are really bigger blessings.

I am always thankful that even if I don't have everything, at least I don't have “NOTHING.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

IRENE is the author of LIFELOTS, an upcoming blog which inspires and motivates its readers to live life to the fullest. At her young age, Irene speaks with so much wisdom and startling conviction about vital topics.

She says: "No regrets, just lessons learned..."

With her jovial disposition and unfaltering optimism, she is a blogger worth visiting. Don't just drop and run though, for she has a lot to offer.

Hop over her site and peruse her posts and you'll understand what I mean.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

FREE PICTURES- An Illusion





Friday, May 8, 2009

A Gentle Touch

Gossamer wings settled on my distended abdomen.
The germinal seeds of life squirmed as I start to bend.
And listened to the stillness of the joy that it portends.
I gently touched you and the angels uttered their "Amens".

The room abounds with lurking white gowned shadows.
I touched you once again as pain turned into countless sorrows.
The brackish sweat has washed away the blood in my cold brow.
I had to howl when you broke forcibly into my hallow.

I touched you gently by your side and lingered.
You wailed - and for a gentle touch - you hungered.
I laughed as you sucked heartily on my little finger.
The Calvary now gone with your ensuing laughter.

You'll always have my warm caress and gentle touch.
I promise you my baby; I'll provide a secure mulch.
I'll always be here when you're in a lousy crutch.
I love you son,and you just don't know how much.

Photo by: David Masters

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Plotdog's WOOF Results for May 8

WOOF Contest – Top Picks

Poetry
Roy – “I have a hole in my socks....” - Concealing what's inside with smile... like a sock with a hole...
Zorlone - “The Modern Hercules” - Do you desire the perfect body? Then you have just surrendered to the vanity of the demon within you.
Christable Anon – “For my Brown Boy..” - Brown surrealism... a collage of thought process..
Sourik Banerjee – “Somewhere The Artist Still Remembers...” - This poem is a tribute to the enigmatic evening that the poet had spent with his ladylove for the first time...
Dragon Blogger – “Traffic Jam - Traffic Jam, a unique poem of love.

About Writing
Alex McGaughan – “Things Every Poet Should Know #1, “No-Nos”” - This is the first installment of a series offering advice to poets. This one is a discussion of some "crimes" often committed by novice poets.
Izzy Daniels – “Blogging or Writing…What is More Important?” - Sometimes we tend to walk a fine line between blogging and writing. I do my best to highlight the differences.

Fiction / Monologue / Flash Fiction
Webbielady – “Confessions of a Devoted Sinner - How distracted he was and so he decided to take his concerns to the Highest Being...
Jena Isle – “Mickey” - A story of a young boy who played video games.

Brought to you by PlotDog Press with the Serial Suspense Screenplay "Intervention"

(WOOF participants should re-post all the links above by next Monday. The following links may be excluded as long as you include all the above links.)

Presenting the finest of the writer’s blogs by the bloggers who write them. Highlighting the top posts as chosen by the May 1, 2009 WOOF Contest participants. Want in to join the next WOOF? The next contest ends May 1. Submit a link to your best writing post of the last 3 weeks using the form on this page. Participants, repost the winning link list within a week and you’re all set.

Other WOOF Contestants for 05/01/09

Poetry
Dragon Blogger – “Future Flash” - A poem about a grim potential future.
Dragon Blogger - “Mutant Graduation” – Random twitter poem inspired by x-men, even mutants graduate from school.
Dragon Blogger – “Where Has Love Gone” - Poem about relationship trouble and believing in a better end.
Jennifer M Scott – “Arson” - A poem not about arson or is it?
Jennifer M Scott – “A Summer Night in Spring” - The feeling of summer in a spring night.

Non-Fiction / About Blogging
Jena Isle – “SEO Sites to Maximize the Exposure of Your Articles” - How to maximize the exposure of your articles in your blogs.

Fiction / Monologue / Flash Fiction
Zorlone – “Difficult to Please” - A flash fiction about a barber in a new neighborhood who has been having a hard time getting customers. Find out why...
Jennifer M Scott – “Red Velvet Box” - An eccentric woman bequeathed her belongings to her niece including one of her special treasures.
Jennifer M Scott – “Saturday Night Decisions” - A story in exactly 100 words about an alcholic what does he do, make your own ideas.
Jennifer M Scott - “Dell and Patsy” - A writing prompt about a mother and daughter and the mother's obsession with weight.




Monday, May 4, 2009

Blogs of Note

My journey in the world of blogging is a fascinating, learning experience. I came across delightful blogs that I have enjoyed browsing and reading.

I would like to mention some of them in this post:

The Big Picture – by Tasha Bud

Tasha has a romance novel which is evolving right now, even as I write; the title “The Big Picture, ” centers around the story of Makenna, Clint, Sandy and Steve.

It is a story of intrigue, love and passion that you should not miss. The Novel is on its 31’st chapter.

Tasha writes mellifluously about emotions, feelings and the machinations of the human mind. Read how the characters come to life in this heartwarming novel.

She also has a second blog - Tasha's Take - where she deals with topics she feels strongly about, her thoughts on certain popular debates, and her take in mundane but significant issues.


Hunting the Muse - by Brady Frost

Brady has a peculiar, titillating way of presenting his stories; whether it be sci-fi, flash fiction, lyric writing, poems, writing tips or other genre.

You can assign any topic to this versatile writer and he would be able to compose an original article without much ado - no sweat !

Here is a new sci-fi story –Zombie - which presents a new and different perspective of that archaic theme. I won't reveal what it is; you'll have to read it to know why. But I can assure you, you won't regret it.

I also had a mention in his latest post here.


Writing to Exhale - by Jan Geronimo.

Jan writes incredibly well. He also interacts with his readers splendidly and treats each visitor as a VIP. There is a warm feeling of being "home" whenever I get to read his articles, because they seem to speak directly from his heart to the reader - personal but encompassing.

His blog is a collection of informative articles about diverse topics ranging from blog contests to The Secret to Earning a Good StumbleUpon Review , to The Lost Art of Being Silly and many extraordinary posts that would leave you saying,
" I've found it!."
Visit his blog and I can assure you, you'll have a totally pleasurable experience!


Lifelots - by Irene

Irene writes about love, choices, chances and life in general. I admire this young lass' mature and optimistic view of life. It is always refreshing and encouraging to read her posts.

HERE'S ONE ARTICLE I STRONGLY RECOMMEND FOR YOU TO PONDER ON
. It is entitled: Interpret a tough experience as an exercise in compassion. This is only one of the various topics in her inspiring collection.


JER.BP'S Simulacrum- by Jerome

Jerome is a newbie in the blogging world. He’s more into photography but blogging would be ideal for him, as he could also write down his thoughts about his photo subjects.

He has still to post his array of vivid and colorful pictures because this is the first blog for him, and we have to give him some slack as experience had taught us that it is not easy to establish your very first blog. One has to learn a little about HTML codes, posting, editing and lay outing.

I am sure, JER.BP would soon be one of the best blogs around. Welcome Jerome!



Friday, May 1, 2009

For My Beloved

Butterfly Wings
By: Jayson Andrew Macmarquis

Like a gentle breeze
you came into my life,
Lost in dreams
I awoke to your touch.
A love I never imagined,
a love that felt so right
The way you touched me
and changed my life.
Someone who loves
me for all that I am.
The light in your eyes,
the warmth of your smile,
Your words so gentle,
your heart so giving.
Lifted all sorrow
my heart had borne.
With you beside me,
My today is joy,
tomorrow hope,
Your love fills me.
A love I never imagined
When you came into my life.
A gentle breeze,
like the touch of
a butterfly's wing.

A song in the making.
Photo by HaPe_Gera